Photo Credit: parantar.com
Going from looking at the disaster in Ann Arbor, it's time to take a look at the surprise in East Lansing. Coming off a 6-7 season, expectations weren't extremely high for the Spartans, but talks of Dantonio not being the guy everyone thought he was did stat. They weren't loud or frequent talks, but the word was if they had another mediocre season, that his job could have been in jeopardy.Those talks were quickly silenced as the Spartans roared out of the gates to start the season, starting the season to an 8-0 start. Amongst those wins were the overtime thriller against Notre Dame under the lights. The famous "Little Giants" fake field goal in overtime when down three to win. Also a comeback win against Northwestern on the road which was sparked by a fake punt play which led to a touchdown.
You could tell that this was going to be one magical season. It seemed like this was a team of destiny. State had gotten as high as number 5 in the rankings. They beat Big Ten contender Wisconsin (eventual Rose Bowl representative) by double digits. The Spartans were shocking the country and were on a magical run.
The Spartans had one last road block standing between them and a trip to the Rose Bowl and an undefeated season. A trip to Iowa City to play the Hawkeyes. A lot of controversy surrounding this game involving Chris L Rucker, the law, and Dantonio's "Zero Tolerance Policy." Rucker was going to be dressed for Iowa.
And MSU, with everyone watching, and with the biggest game in the programs history in i have no idea how long, I haven't been a Spartan long enough. Bottom line, this game had National Championship and Big Ten title hopes riding on it.
But MSU did not show up. They were clearly unprepared for this game. They got embarrassed, losing 37-6. The loss cost MSU a chance at the Rose Bowl and a BCS bowl. BIggest game in a long time, and the Spartans didn't even show up.
As expected, MSU won out the rest of the year, finishing 11-1 and tying for the Big Ten title with Ohio State and Wisconsin. ANd of the three, MSU did not go to a BCS bowl. They were sent to the Capital One Bowl to play a vastly superior Alabama team. And they got destroyed, losing 49-7. And all the Michigan fans came out in mass to call them frauds.
But was MSU a bunch of frauds? CLearly yes. They were a good team having an amazing season, but they're not on the level of the elite yet. But this season was far better than anyone could have anticipated, and it shows that the Spartans have the right coach with Mark Dantonio.
The Final Bearded Grade for Michigan State: A
Nothing wrong with a share of the Big Ten and an 11-2 season, much better than most expected, but those two losses are by a combined score of 86-13, proving that they just aren't at the level of the better teams in the country, and that they were just on a magical run of improbability, a team of destiny. A stellar season for the boys in East Lansing.
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Good article. I don't agree that MSU is a fraud team. Are they as good as Alabama, Oregon, Auburn, or TCU? No. But I think they're at the level of Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Boise State. The loss against Alabama was fundamentally due to the lack of an elite defense and an offensive line which could stop the Tide's pass rushing. The pieces are there, especially offensively. The recruiting for next year is full of defensive players and offensive linemen. We should be able to win more than 8 next year no problem.
ReplyDeleteWhen I say frauds, I mean that they aren't a top 10 team, like they were ranked going into the Bama game. They're good, don't get me wrong. Just not at that level yet
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